Electric switch



y 7, 1940- B. PUTTERMAN ET AL 2.200.218

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 3, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR$ Ben n/71mPuffer/nan Daniel E. Reed ATTORNEY M y 7, 1940- B. PUTTERMAN ET ALELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb 3, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVENTORS BenjaminPufi'erman Daniel E. Reed BY *1 l iugun ATTORNEY Alia,

Patented May 7, 1940 means ELECTRIC SWITCH Benjamin Putterman,

Brooklyn, N. Y., and

Daniel E. Reed, Norwalk, Conn, assignors to Yankee Metal Products Corp,Norwalk, Conn.,

a corporation of New York Application February 3, 1939, Serial No.254,390

9, Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in switch units. It isparticularly applicable to switch 'units. adapted. to be used forcontrolling directional signals on automobiles and other vehicles.

.Many'proposals have heretofore been made relative to the constructionof switch units for controlling circuits to directional signalsassociated with automobiles. In a large number of 10 instances theseswitch units are adapted to be 3 I secured to the steering post of thevehicle. Be-

cause these switch units'are located in a position where they are infull view 'of persons in a vehicle and may be inadvertently touched bypersons getting into or out of a vehicle, it ishighly desirable thatthey have-casings which not only present a pleasing appearance but whichalso shield the electrical connections of the switch.

20 in the form of'an arcuately swinging lever, which lever protectsthrough and is movable arcuately in a slot providedin an end wall of thecasing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch unit of thesame general character as the switch units mentioned above, but whichmaybe more easily and economically produced than prior known units andwhich are especially pleasing inappearance and sturdy in construc- 43tion. 7 i I In the prior switch unit involving a switch with anarcuately swingable control lever member extending through a slot in theend wall of thecasing, there isnormally a very real problem in theinsertion of the switch in the casing in'such a way that thejcontrolmember is readily insertablein the slot. If the slot is made wide enoughto permit a ready insertion of the control lever, the casing becomesunsightly and the I electrical connections not well shielded, whereas 40if the slot is made more narrow the control lever often fouls the endwall when it is attempted to insert, itin the slot.

, An important object of the invention, therefore, is to provide aswitchunit which may be very easily assembled. A'fe'ature resulting from theabove object re sides' in the provision of a switch unit inwhich'a basemember is providedwhich casing and which locates an axially rotatablecontact moving member relative to an aperture in the, top'wall of thecasing. 1 Another and'..related' feature of the invention re'sidesintheprovisionof a. control member ex- Many of such prior switch unitsinclude a; switch in which" the manual control member is attainment ofthe may be readilyinserted in the bottom of the.

terior. the casing, which has'a'portion adapted to close the apertureformed inthe casing for the rotatable contact movingjmember of theswitch.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a switchunit in which a single means, readily insertable in thecasing-isprovided for supporting and properly locating both a-main EsPATENT OFFICE switch and a pilot lamp relative to apertures in awall ofthe casing.

Another feature of the invention provision of switch unit in which anovel base member not only supports a main switch and a pilot lamp in acasing but also divides the easing into two chambers and provides apartial closure for thecasing bottom.

Other objects and features will hereinafter appear.

' In the drawings: 1 Figure l is a top view of a switch unit embodyingthe invention, a portion of the control member being removed.

-Fig. 2 is a view taken on the line. Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an unit.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main switch and the basemember. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the control member. Fig. 6 is awiring diagram of the switch unit. Before describing the presentimprovements and mode of operation thereof in detail it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanyingdrawings, which'are merely illustrative of the present preferredembodiments, since the invention is capa ble of other embodiments, andthe phraseology employed is for the purpose of description and not oflimitation.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a switchunit H including a main casing 12' having a top wall {3, sidewalls l4and I5, end walls 16 and I1 and an open bottom 18 in which is confined amain switch l9, and'a pilot lamp 20 comprising 'a socket member ZIadapted to receive a suitable electric light bulb 22. As shown, theswitch unit H is especially adapted to be associated with the steeringpost, not shown, of an automobile and, to this end, a standard .23 isprovided which is connected at one end to the end wall-I6 of the maincasing l2 and, at the other end to a bracket 24 which may be clamped tothe ablev manners Preferably the standard isof exploded side view of theswitch steering post in any suit-.

resides in the tubular construction for receiving a plurality ofconductors 25, 25 and 27, which may be encased in a suitable cable 28,inserted in an opening 29 in one of the end walls 30 of'the bracket, andpassing through the tubular standard into the main casing I 2.

Of importance, there is provided a novel base member 34 through the useof which the final assembly of the switch unit is greatly facilitated.This base member 3! may be advantageously formed by bending a piece ofsheet metal, and includes laterally oiTset sections 32 and 33 joined bya transverse section 34. Inturned portions 35 are provided on one of theofiset sections 33 to constitute ears by which the base member may befixed to the main casing. In the other oilset section 32 a slot 36 isprovided, extending from one end thereof toward the transverse section,and adapted to aid in properly locating the main switch l9.

As shown, the main switch iii includes a contact housing 37in which aspring pressed movable contact member 38 is provided for movement toopen and close a plurality of different c1rcuits39 and 48, as forexample to a right signal light 1H and a left signal light 42, byselectively bridging fixed contacts 43, M and 15, see Fig. 6, andassociated binding posts 45, 3? and it.

Also, the main switch i9 includes an axially rotatable contact movingmember 59 which through an eccentric 5! is connected. at one end to themovable contact member 38 and extends forwardly through a detent plate52 spaced from and connected to the contact housing 3'! by a tubularsection 53. Fixed on the end of the con,- tact moving member 50extending through the detent plate is. a member 5 carrying a pair ofcup-shaped retainers 55 and 55 adapted to locate spring pressed detents5! which snap into depressions 58 and 59 defined by projections lit and(H stamped in the detent plate. As clearly shown the closed ends of theretainers project forwardly from the member away from the detent plate.

The novel base member 3! out invention is especially advantageous in themounting of a. switch such as the main switch 19 above described. Thus,it is merely necessary to fit the tubular connecting section 53 in theslot 3.6, and the projections 60 and {it on the detent plate serve tocooperate with the sides of theslot.

to properly locate the main switch it? relative to the offset section32. Suitable fastening elements such as screws 62 may be utilized tofixthe detent plate of the main switch to the base member, with thecontact housing extending rearwardly in the direction of the transversesection and with the rotatable contact moving member 53 and associateddetent plate positioned forwardly of the offset section 32. r

In addition to serving as a mounting for the main switch I 9 the basemember M is also adapt-- ed to serve" as a mounting for the pilot lamp2s, and associated relay 63 including an electromagnet for controlling acircuit 65 through the pilot lamp. Thus, as shown most clearly in 2, 3,and 6, the socket member iii of the lamp is fixed to the offset section33 to extend forwardly therefrom, being separated therefrom by asuitable insulating plate The olectro'mag net 64 isshown'as mounted on afinger 5? extending forwardly froma metal contact plate 658 in terposedbetween the insulating'plate 6d and the offset section 33. And, themagnet controlled movable contact 59 is mounted on a spring arm '7electrically connected to thecontact plate 88.

.binding post it? on the switch provided by the pres- I The fixedcontact H of the relay is provided by a finger 12 on a metal thecontact. plate 68 by the insulating plate 56 and connected to the socketmember 21 of the pilot lamp.

Asshown most clearly in the wiring diagram strip ?3 separated from inFig. 6, the lead conductor 25 may be conveniently associated with abinding post on an I ammeter of the automobile and. secured to a unit,which is con nected by one wire "F5 to the electromagnet and by anotherwire "l? to the pilot lamp. Another wire 78 connects the electromagnetwith the cen ter binding post it ofthe main switch. Conductors litand 27extend into the main casing i2, then through an aperture F8 in thetransverse section 84 of the base member and are re-.

spectively connected to the right and left binding posts ll and d8 ofthe main switch.

A Wire Ti con- ?3 through the main casing in a manner noivwellunderstood.

I In the operation of the switch unit, whenthemain switch is operatedto" close either of the circuits 3% or 46 current is caused to flowin'qa predetermined amount if the circuit is in good.

As shown these conductors 26 and 2? may lead to the right 5 order andthe relay 63 is operated in a well known mannertoclose the circuit tothe pilot lamp. If

either of the circuits 39 or iii is not ingood order, for example if theright burned out, the relay will. not

operate to close the circuit to the pilotlampi or, left signal light hasY Whileprior electric switch units of the same general nature as the oneforming.

the subject matter of the present invention have been-in.

use for some time, these prior switch units have in the main presentedvery real problems in as.-'

sembly. If oversized casingswere used the assembly was somewhatsimplified, but in the case of units designed for mounting on automobilesteering posts the demand was and is for units which are compact andpleasing to the-eye- With the switch unit providedby the presentinvention, assembly of the several mainpartsisa relatively simplematter. Thus, thejmain switch l9 and the pilot lamp and relaymay' bemounted on the base member outside of the casing, and the base memberthen inserted ing the 1 open bottom l8 thereof and fixed thereto byscrews 89 passing through. the side wall'sio f the casing and into theears on the offset section.

lamp so thatit extendstcward aperture M in the top wall of and throughan the casing. A

washer 82 serves to insulate the socket member the casing.

Also, the base member'locates the vaz riallyirotatable contact movingmember 50' of the main switch relativeto. an aperture 85 in the top wallof the casing. This aperture '85 is shown as being of circular shape andsomewhat'l'arger thanjthe pilot lamp aperture'BI, and adapted to receivea forwardly extending flange 86 on the detent'plate.

Of importance a novel control member '81 is provided for controllingthe'mainswitch exterior When thus inserted in the casing, the base,member locates the socket member 2! ofthe pilot her ' V slot means inoperative where dirt might easily enter.

vided on the flange 86 for engaging the retainer I carrying member 54and thus arresting movement of the contact member 38 in circuit closingpositions. The detents 55 and 56 engage in the de pressions 58 and 59 toarrest the contact mem- 38 in a central circuit opening position. Tofacilitate a proper locating of thecontrol member relative to theaxially-rotatable contact moving member 50, a rib 92 is provided on theinside of the recessed portion, shaped to define a socket 93 or slot forreceiving and closely confining the forwardly projecting ends of theretainers 55 and 56. Thus, in effect, a key and slot means is providednot only for properly locating the control memberB'l and contact movingmember 50 relative to' each other, but also for arresting relativerotative movement between the members. Screws 94 passing through thecontrol member and into a fastening plate 95 on the contact movingmember 50 may advantageously be utilized for maintaining the key andrelation and for fixing the control member 8'Iv relative to the contactmoving member 50 within the casing.

It is to be particularly noted that in the switch unit provided by thepresent invention the control member is associated with the main switchexterior of the casing and after the. switch has been fully mounted.There is thus eliminated the assembly problem present, in many priorunits, of inserting the main control lever through a slot 7 in the endof the casing during the insertion and mounting of the switch.

In the completely assembled switch unit it is to be particularly notedthat there are no unsightly openings in the top, sides or ends of thecasing Also, it is-to be noted that the transverse section 34 of thebase member divides the casing into two chambers 96 and 91 for the mainswitch l9 and relay 63 respectively, and that the ofiset section of thebase member serves as a partial closure for-the casing bottom. The pilotlamp and relay chamber 91 is thus substantially enclosed so that noglarefrom'the pilot lamp will unduly light up the interior of the car and sothat the relay mechanism is most efiectively shielded.

In addition, and as shown, when a shoulder 98 is provided on the socketmember 2| to limit movement thereof through the aperture 8|, it is to benoted, see Fig. 2, that the threaded cap 84 serves not only to provide alight transmitting closure for the aperture 8| but also to lock thesocket member 2| and through the latter the base member 3| relative tothe main casing. In connection with the fixing of the socket member 2|to the offset section 33 particular attention is directed to the reducedhollow portion 99 of the socket member which extends from a shoulderthrough the offset section 33 to receive the wire 11. A washer Iinsulates the reduced portion 99 from the base member and a peened overflange |0| cooperates with the shoulder to fix the socket member to thebase member.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of thisinvention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new'is:

1. An electric switch unit comprising a main casing having a wall withan aperture therein; a base member having a slot therein with an openend; means for fixing said base member relative te said casing with theslot opposite said aperture; an electric switch in said casing,supported by said base member and having an axially rotatable contactmoving member extending through said slot and toward said aperture; aseparate control member exterior said casing and connected to saidcontact moving member; key and slot means associated with said controlmember and said rotatable member for locating said members relative toeach other and for arresting relative rotation therebetween; and meansfor maintain ing said key and slot means in operative relation.

2. In a switch unit the combination of a main casing having a wall withan aperture therein;

a base member having a slot therein; means for I fixing said base memberrelative to said casing with the slot opposite said aperture; anelectric switch in said casing, supported by said base member and havingan axially rotatable contact moving member extending through said slotand toward said aperture; and a separate control member, exterior saidcasing, having a portion closing said aperture and connected to saidrotatable member.

3. In a switch unit the combination of a main casing having a wall witha pair of spaced apertures therein; a main electric switch forcontrolling a main electric circuit, having an axially rotatable contactmoving member extending toward one of said apertures; a relay and pilotlamp electrically associated with said main switch; a base memberhavingv laterally offset sections and an intermediate transverselyextending section, said intermediate section dividing the casing into amain switch chamber and a relay chamber, one of said ofiset sectionssupporting said switch and the other of said offset sections locatingsaid pilot light relative to the other of said apertures; and a separatecontrol member, exterior of said casing and connected to said contactmoving member.

4. In a switch unit the comb nation of a main casing having a top wall,side walls and an initially open bottom, said top wall having anaperture therein; a base member, secured to said casing, havinglaterally offset sections and an intermediate transversely extendingsection, said latter section extending towards the front wall, one ofsaid offset sections having a slot with an open end and being locatedadjacent said front wall and aperture,'and the other of said offsetsections serving as a partial closure for said bottom; an electricswitch in said casing and supported by said base member, having anaxially rotatable contact moving member extending through said slot andtowards said aperture; and a control member, exterior said casing,having a portion connected to said rotatable member.

5. In a switch unit including an electric switch having an electriccontact portion, a detent means spaced from the contact portion, aconnecting section between the contact portion and the detent means, andan axially rotatable contact moving member extending from said contactportion and associated with the detent means; the combination of a maincasing having a wall with an aperture therein; a base member secured tosaid casing, having a slot with an open end for receiving saidconnecting section,

for supporting said switch in said casing with the rotatable memberextending toward said aperture; and a separate control member, exteriorsaid casing, having a portion alined with said aperture and connected tosaid rotatable member.

\ 61A switch unit comprising a main casing having a top wall, side wallsand an initially open bottom, said top wall having a pair of spacedapertures therein; a main electric switch for controlling a mainelectric circuit, having an axially rotatable contact moving member; apilot lamp electrically associated with said main switch; a base memberinsertable in said open bottom, supporting said main electric switch andsaid pilot lamp with said rotatable member extending in the direction ofone of said apertures and with said pilot lamp extending in thedirection of the other of said apertures; a section on. said base memberextending toward said top wall intermediate said apertures and dividingthe casing into separate chambers for said main switch and said pilotlamp; and a separate control member, exterior said top wall andconnected to said rotatable member.

7. A switch unit comprising a main casing having a top wall with a pairof spaced apertures therein, side walls and an open bottom; a mainelectric switch having an axially rotatable contact moving member; apilot lamp electrically associated with said main switch; a base memberinsertable in said open bottom; laterally offset sections on said basemember, respectively supporting and locating said rotatable member andsaid pilot lamp relative to said apertures, said pilot lamp supportingand locating section providing a partial closure for said open bottom;and a separate control member, exterior said top wall, having a portionconnected to said rotatable member and closing the aperture associatedwith the latter.

'ing and closely confining said raised 8. In a switch unit including anelectric switch having an electric contact portion, ,a detent platespaced from the contact portion, a connecting section between said plateand said contact portion, an axially rotatable contact.

moving member extending from said contact portion through said detentplate/means on said rotatable member and overlying said detent plate, apair of raised portions on said last named means, and detentsassociatedwith said raised portions; the combination of a main casinghaving a wall with an aperture. therein; a base member insertable insaid casing, having a slot with an open end for receiving saidconnecting section, for supporting and locating said switch with therotatable member extending in the direction of said aperture; and -acontrol member, exterior said casing, having-a portion forreceivportions' to thereby locate said control member relative to saidrotatable member and arrest relative rotatable movement therebetween.

9. In an electric switch unit the combination of a main casing having a,wall with an aperture therein; a base member for supporting a mainelectric switch;v a pilot lamp having a socket member with a threadedend extending through said aperture, electrically associated with saidswitch and fixed to'said base member; means on said socket member forlimiting movement of said threaded end through said aperture; a threadedlight transmitting cap, screwed on said threaded end for closing saidaperture and cooperating with said means to lock said socket member andbase meniber'relative to said casing; and a control member forcontrolling said switch exterior said casing.

BENJAMIN PUTTERMAN, DANIEL E. REED.

